Journalist, media worker dead in Quetta attack

New York, September 7, 2010--The Committee to Protect
Journalists mourns the deaths of a cameraman and media support worker who
suffered fatal injuries during violence on Friday in Quetta, the capital of
Pakistan's restive Baluchistan province.

A suicide bomber detonated explosives during a Shiite demonstration,
triggering gunfire and other violence, according to local and international
media reports. Mohammad Sarwar, a driver for Aaj TV, died in the violence, although
local news reports conflicted as to the cause. Eight other journalists were reported
injured. Ejaz Raisani, a cameraman for Samaa TV, died of gunshot wounds on
Monday morning, local reports said.

In all, more than 60 people were killed and 185 injured. The
stampede of people fleeing the scene added to the death toll, according to
local and international media reports.

The Pakistani
Taliban and Lashkar-e-Jhangvi each claimed responsibility for Saturday's suicide
bombing, one in a series of recent attacks
targeting Shiite gatherings. The attack on
Saturday was aimed at a Shiite rally marking Al Quds Day, an annual protest
expressing solidarity with Palestinians, according news reports. The suicide bombing
set off further violence, including gunfire, clashes with police, and arsons of
cars and motorcycles. Some news reports linked the gunfire to the surviving
protesters.

"We extend our condolences to the families of Mohammad Sarwar
and Ejaz Raisani, as well as all the other journalists who were injured," said
Bob Dietz, CPJ's Asia program coordinator. "As Pakistan's internal unrest
escalates, the country has become an increasingly dangerous place for
journalists to work. The events in Quetta and their deadly aftermath are only
the most recent in a string of attacks putting journalists at ever-increasing
risk."

Media reports
said that 12 suspects have been taken into custody. Baluchistan Chief Minister
Nawab Aslam Raisani has formed a judicial tribunal to investigate the attack,
as well as a ministerial commission to review law and order, local media
reports said.